vy grows,' added George. 'It is well, Ringan, thou hast done
good service. Here is the way.'

'With four or five of our own tall carles, we may win the castle, and
laugh at the German pock-puddings,' added Ringan. 'Let them gang their
gate, and we'll free our leddies.'

George was tempted, but he shook his head. 'That were scarce knightly
towards the Duke,' he said. 'He has been gude friend to me, and I may
not thus steal a march on him. Moreover, we ken na the strength of the
loons within.'

'I misdoot there being mair than ten of them,' said Ringan. 'I have
seen the same faces too often for there to be many. And what there be we
shall take napping.'

That was true; nevertheless George Douglas felt bound in honour not to
undertake the enterprise without the cognisance of his ally, though
he much doubted the Germans being alert or courageous enough to take
advantage of such a perilous clamber.

Sigismund had a tent under the pine-trees, and a guard before the
entrance, who stood, halbert in hand, like a growling statue, when
the young Scot would have entered, understanding not one word of his
objurgations in mixed Scotch and French, but only barring the way, till
Sigismund's own 'Wer da?' sounded from within.

'Moi--George of Angus!' shouted that individual in his awkward French.
'Let me in, Sir Duke; I have tidings!'

Sigismund was on foot in a moment. 'And from King Eene?' he asked.

'Far better, strong heart and steady foot can achieve the adventure and
save the ladies unaided! Come with me, beau sire! Silently.'

George had fully expected to see the German quail at the frightful
precipice and sheer wall before him, but the Hapsburg was primarily
a Tirolean mountaineer, and he measured the rock with a glistening
triumphant eye.

'Man can,' he said. 'That will we. Brave sire, your hand on it.'

The days were almost at their longest, and it was about five in the
morning, the sun only just making his way over the screen of the higher
hills to the north-east, though it had been daylight for some time.

Prudence made the two withdraw under the shelter of the woods, and there
they built their plan, both young men being gratified to do so without
their two advisers.

Neither of them doubted his own footing, and George was sure that
three or four of the men who had come with Sir Robert were equally good
cragsmen. Sigismund sighed for some Tirolese whom he had left at home,
but he had at least one man with him